Plaxico Burress Likely to Do Time

It could be a while before Plaxico Burress wears a Giants uniform again.

UPDATE, March 30, 4:55 pm -- New York Daily News reports that a plea deal will not be in place by tomorrow's court hearing, but that doesn't mean there won't be one soon.

We tend to assume that the laws don't apply to our star athletes the way they do to the rest of us. Our star athletes tend to assume that too, which is one reason they occasionally do things like carry loaded, unlicensed weapons into crowded New York City nightclubs -- not to use, just to have. You know, in case.

But in the case of New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress, it's starting to become clear that that little slip-up is going to land him in prison. Burress is discussing a plea deal, in advance of Tuesday's scheduled court appearance, but it seems that whatever deal he ends up getting will require him to do at least some jail time. From the New York Times:

"Last year, 986 cases in New York involving the same charges as Mr. Burress faces were resolved, and 90 percent of them resulted in convictions for less serious crimes, half of them misdemeanors or violations, said John M. Caher, a spokesman for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.The reduced charges in such cases include crimes like third-degree gun possession or attempted possession. Convictions on those charges allow for sentences of two years or less."

That's better than the 3 1/2-year minimum sentence that goes along with the second-degree weapons possession with which Burress is charged, but it seems clearer than ever that New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg will get his wish and that Burress will be sent to jail for carrying a loaded, unlicensed gun in New York City.

The Times story also says the NFL is likely to suspend Burress, which means there's a chance he'd be out of football even longer than he's in jail.

Plaxico Burress Saga

Troubled wide receiver Plaxico Burress appears likely to accept a plea deal for his gun possession charges that would land him in jail. Burress also faces a suspension from the NFL. Click through to see more of Burress' very public struggles.

Louis Lanzano, AP

David Tyree had the highlight reel catch of Super Bowl XLII, but Burress had the game-winner. It was easily Burress' top moment as a pro, but what followed was far less rewarding.

Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

Unhappy with his contract situation, Burress skipped the Giants' mandatory 2008 summer mini-camp and then sat out much of the preseason with an ankle injury. Then, shortly before the start of the regular season, the Giants agreed to a five-year, $35-million contract extension with the disgruntled receiver.

Evan Pinkus, Getty Images

No mandatory mini-camp, no preseason, no problem. In New York's Week 1 win over Washington, Burress made 10 catches for 133 yards.

Seth Wenig, AP

In a stunning Week 6 Monday night loss to Cleveland, Burress scored a touchdown but was otherwise shut down, all part of a sub-par season that saw Burress fail to top 100 yards receiving in any game other than the opener.

Diamond Images / Getty Images

Burress had a bit of a meltdown in the Giants' Oct. 19 win over San Francisco. The NFL fined him $45,000 for his actions in that game, when he verbally abused an official and threw a ball into the stands. That came just two weeks after the Giants suspended Burress for their Oct. 5 game for missing a team meeting.

Evan Pinkus, Getty Images

In an easy New York win over Baltimore during Week 11, Burress tweaked his hamstring, which had him set to be inactive in Week 12 against Washington - until he suffered a more serious leg injury.

Kathy Willens, AP

Out at a club, just hours after it was reported that he would be inactive against the Redskins because of his hamstring injury, Burress suffered a gunshot wound to his leg - self-inflicted by accident.

Stephen Dunn, Getty Images

Burress surrendered to police Dec. 1 and was charged with two counts of illegal handgun possession after shooting himself in the leg at a nightclub. The Giants also suspended him for the rest of the 2008-09 season.

Louis Lanzano, AP

Burress found himself the subject of a lawsuit in late December, allegedly for striking a woman with his car. Then in March, Burress was cited for four traffic tickets on one stop - speeding, improper display of tags, improper lane change and improper window tinting.

Chris McGrath, Getty Images

From a societal standpoint, this is a good thing. Star athletes shouldn't be above the law. What Burress did carries a certain specific punishment, and he should receive it. Bloomberg, though obviously over-the-top angry that day, was right.

From a purely football standpoint, this is the reason you hear the Giants connected with possible trade talks for Braylon Edwards, and why almost all of the mock drafts have them taking somebody like Percy Harvin (if they get lucky) or Kenny Britt (more realistically) with the 29th overall pick in next month's draft. They need a big wide receiver for Eli Manning to throw to. And while they still don't know for sure when or if they'll get Burress back, they need to act as if they can't count on him.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

3-30-2009 @ 2:26PM

horatiowrd said...

Lets be fair. give him 8 games suspension, and a year probation and if he so much as gets a ticket for rolling red on the way to the hospital, give him 3 years.

3-31-2009 @ 8:40AM

Peter Scott said...

You frigging idiot. Why do you think he carried a weapon in public. If it was for show, it wouldn't have be loaded.

3-31-2009 @ 11:25AM

Jason said...

Lets be fair, how about we shoot you and the rest of the morons that think he should get a slap on the wrist. Bet if it was a nobody you would say lock him up. Why the hell should some stupid football player get away with something others cant? Just anouther wanna be a thug foot ball player getting locked up.

3-31-2009 @ 11:35AM

mellowreb1 said...

HEY GUY,punishment is supposed to be punitive. Thats what the word means.

3-30-2009 @ 3:17PM

checka624 said...

haratio, I don't think you understand, like burress the seriousness of carrying a loaded unlicensed weapon in NYC... NYC has some of THE toughest gun laws in the country and being in NYC enough, Plax should have known that. You say "lets be fair" How is that fair to all the same people who had the same cahrges as burress but did jail time? How is that fair to them? Why should burress ONLy be given a year of probation? LOL! that's just not realistic guy, you must be a giants fan. If you are, then i see now where this unrealistic statement came from. But he's lucky he doesn't have to do that mandatory min of 3.5 years. If Burress was in his own home, or something like that, this would be a TOTALLY diff story. He should do 5 years for being a dumbass and shooting himself in the leg

NBA/NFL players do not = Thugs... they = wanna be thugs

3-30-2009 @ 7:44PM

im not a Giants fan (a Saint fan so having one less team to worry about would be nice), i mean fair is fair, regardless how tough the laws are this is a crime where the only witnesses are everyone who in some way could have to answer to the law, ergo instead of a 5th Amendment war lets just be reasonable and fair and realize 1) he hurt only himself, 2) he will already suffer public ridicule that will make him think twice.

Anything more is just punitive, and I dont believe laws exisit only to punish, they are there to bring a fair and just result, not just to be an ass.

3-31-2009 @ 7:06AM

brad said...

so NFL players get slammed, and yet, Rap Stars get a pass. check it out. this is a bad, thing, he threatened no one. he harmed only himself. what idiots to want to punish this guy so bad.

3-31-2009 @ 7:19AM

whats fair, is to get rid of your idiot mayor. Mr Uber rich, Mr anal ,,,no one can smoke anywhere, fine ppl that have ash trays. ask how many bars and restaurants did he cause to fail. the man is a freaking prick,he is the ultimate repressive person. ,,,,,,grow up NYC, your mayor is a fascist. plain and simple. Plaxico Burress is just another victim of fascism. yep, get another mayor and quit being so damn anal.

3-30-2009 @ 3:50PM

rob said...

What John Caher from the NYSDOJ leaves out is that when the criminals plea to a reduced charge, even though the law may state they can do 2 years, the overwhelming majority are not. In fact I'd be surprised if most did any jail time. Mike Bloomberg may attempt to portray the image that he's tough on gun crimes but the reality is that he's all talk and more interested in taking away the rights of legal gun owners. NYC prosecuters routinely reduces felony gun charges to misdemeanors and violations as exhibited by the statistics. 986 felony gun charges and between 90-100 convicted of the original charge? That's pitiful.

3-30-2009 @ 4:28PM

I'm sorry less than 90 felony convictions- the stats don't count flat out dropped charges or not guilty verdicts. Who does Bloomberg think he's kidding?

3-30-2009 @ 3:55PM

aniello said...

I am a big time Giants fan. To me this is not fair. I love football, but laws are laws. The man had a gun and that is the bottom line. I do not want to hear that he shot himself so no one got hurt. That is crazy. I have a friend who was dumb enough get cought with a gun. He did two years no way out. what makes Burress so special because he is a football player. please they for the most part spoiled brats. I am sure there are some ball players who do good, even they feel they are above the law. Let them all rot in jail if they commit a crime. You want them to be a role model, this is perfect way to do so. Show kids if you mess up you have to pay.
Now I say go Giants. They have to find a way to make up for his loss.

3-30-2009 @ 4:46PM

nickstoli said...

Do his time like a man -- it can't be much worse than NFL training camp.

He should just be grateful something more serious didn't happen when the gun went off.